Tabulator mechanism for typewriting-machines



' e. 1. PILBLAD AND A. TOMLINSON. TABULATOR MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES- APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1919. 1,347,757.

HEET I. 4

Patented July 27, 1920.

v 2 SHEETS-S E. J. PILBLAD AND A. TOMLINSON. TABULATOR MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1919. 1,347,757. Patented July 27, 1920.

2 SSSSSSSSS EET 2.

" UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

ERIC JULIUS PILBL AD AND ARTHUR 'IOMLINSON, OF LEICESTER,- ENGLAND,

ASSIGNORS TO IMPERIAL TYPEWRIIER COMPANY LIMITED, OE LEICESTER,v

ENGLAND.

TABULA'IOR MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING-MACHINES.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

I Patented July 27, 1920.

Application filed July 8, 1919. Serial No. 309,460.

To aZZw/wm it may concern:

Be it known that we, ERIC JULIUS, PIL- BLAI) and ARTHUR ToMLINsoN, subjects of the King of England, both residing at London street, North Evington, Leicester, in the county of Leicester, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tabulator Mechanisms for Typewriting- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to tabulator mechanisms for typewriting machines, such mechanism generally comprising a tabulator key -'lever having operative connections between it and (lithe carriage-escapement and (2) a'tabulator-stop, such that when the tabulatorkey is operated the carriage-escapement is released and the tabulator-stop is brought into the path of an abutment on the carriage. This'operation releases the carriage which then moves-amide]? the action of its controlling-Spring-until its projection engages the stop whereby it is brought to rest.

provide an nnproved construction of mechanism which, after the tabulator-key. has been operated, shall arrest the same in the position into which it is brought to maintain the disengagement of the carriage-escapement until the movement of the carriage is arrested b the stop, whereby liability to damage the escapement is obviated and it is not-necessary to hold the tabulatorkey depressed after the movement of the carriage has commenced. i

Another object is to provide that if the tabulator-key has been accidentally depressed after the carriage has passed the last tabulator-stop, then the tabulator-key can be released and the carriage-escapement can be reengaged by sliding the carriage along its guides against the action of its controlling spring.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts described hereinai't ,-.i' and pointed out in the claims.

A primary object of this invention is to The invention will be clearly understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which- Figure l is a section taken in a direction transversely through the carriage'and showing only those portions of the mechanism relevant to the present invention, in the position they assume before actuation of platen-roller and its component parts is shown at A, and an escap'ement-rack also supported on the carriage is shown at B. This rack B is swingingly supported on the carriage so that it may be moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 "in relation to spring-controlled and fixed dogs C and C respectively, operated in a known manner from the universal rail. For the sake of clearness, the connections between the carriage and the rack B are not shown, nor are the guides for the slide A' illustrated, al-

though their provision in the machine will be understood. the machine is a tabulator rail D, whose two ends are supported inarms D secured to a rock-shaft D carried in any convenient manner in the frame of the machine. The rock-shaft D (and with it the rail D), is movable endwise in, bearings D against the action of a coiled spring D, which normally holds the'rail to the left in the position shown in F ig. Securedto the rock shaft so as to move with it is a clip E having a downwardly extending portion E engaging the. back end'F of a tabulator key-lever F. The back end F is shown as an extension of secured thereto by Supported-at the back of with the key-lever F. This latter opera- F formed in the edge of tl1e key-lever F .while the end H "is adapted to be engaged by an upwardly extending portion E of the clip a Pivoted to the key-lever F at J is an arm J having a part J engaging with the catch H on that side oi its pivot toward the lip H At the extremity of the lever J is .mounted a )awl J? more clearl shown in Fig. 5, controlled by a spring J so as normally to vhold a stop J of the pawl J in contact with the upper edge of the lever J. The pawl J has an extension J adapted to engage, in the manner hereinafter to be described, with teeth K formed on the lowergedge of a swinging'bar K; This bar extends throughout the length of the carriage andissupported at each end in arms K pivotedto the carriageas at K i The liplI-I of the lever H is held pressed toward the edgeof the key-lever Fby means of a spring H and the key-lever F is 0011- trolled by a spring, not shown, tending to draw it toward the front of the machine, that is to the left of Figs. 1 to 4 The operation of the parts is as follows:, I

Duringthe normal operation of the machine, when the tabulator-mechanisrn is not belng used, the parts are in the position as ,shown in Fig. 1. When howei er. it is de sired to use the tabulating mechanism the tabulator hey-lever is manually operated to move it in the direction of the arrow F in Fig. 1. This movement, brings the slot F of the key-lever into the position in which ,it is engaged with 'thelip H and is thus held inthe position into which it has been manually operated. Atthe same time by means of itsextensionsF the rock-shaft D is moved, bringing the parts into the posit-ion shown in Fig. .3, while the rack B is disengagedfrom the teeth of the dogs C by meansv of a .pillarVF secured to and moving tion releases the carriage-escapement and allows the carriage to slide-freely under the action of its controlling-spring. The arrest of the carriage is brought about by a tabuiam-j-aop D adjustable .Vas toits position along the rail 1) and adapted to be secured thereon inany desired position. It will be readily appreciated that, the adjustment of the stop D along the rail D regulates the position. of the sliding movement of the carriage in which the latter is to be arrested for tabulating purposes. When the carriage engages the stop D as for example by means of a projection L, Fig: 5,, the momentum. of the carriage shifts the rail D and the rock-shaft D endwise to the right of Fig. 5 against the action of tlie' spring D In so doing the "projection E of the clip E engages with the end H 51? the catch H, thereby swinging it about its pivot H and withdr. wing thelip H from engagement with the slot F This disengagement of the'catch from the lever F permits the latter to return to its normal position under the influence of its controlling-spring, that is to say permits it to move in a direction against that of the arrow F 7, and in so doing the pillar F 7 is moved to allow the rack B toreengage with the dogs C, while the rock-shaft]? turns, j with its component parts in the position" shown-in Fig. 1; thus it will be seen that whenthe carriage is brought into engagement with the stop D two operations occur.

(1) Owing to the rock-shaft D only having a limited endwise movement the sliding .movement of the carriageis arrested and (2) Substantially simultaneously with the stopping of the carriage the carriageescapement is reengaged, and also the tabulator key-lever and its mechanism is reset for the next tabulating operation.

When, however, several tabulator-stops are employed on the rail Dand the carriage has moved past thie'lastr stop, for example, owing to the accidental depression of the tabulator-kev the ')arts which \vi1l still remain in the position shown in Fig. 3,

vmay be reset by moving the carriage against the pull of .its controlling-spring. This movement brings one of the teeth K into engagement with the extremity J of the pawl J in moving to the left in Fig. 5.

Owing to the engagement oft-he extension J vof the pawl J with the upper edge of thelever J, the pawl cannot swing about its pivot andso the pawl and lever J are virtually solid and the latter is swung about its pivot J .to trip the catch H by means of Thus the catch H the hooked extension J. I 1s disengaged from the lever F and the parts assume their posit-ions as shown in Fig. 1. It will be readily seen that during movement or the carriage to. the right of Fig. 5, that is to say under the action of its controlling-spring, theteeth K engage with the pawlv J to. swing it about its pivot the pull of its centrolling-spring J and in so doing do not ,move the lever J.

Although a construction embodying the present invention. has been described in detailin connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention is not limited to the particular details described and illusunder its spring-control parallel with that of the carriage and also in a direction transverse thereto, and a tabulator key-lever operatively connected with sald support and arranged to move to and fro in the said transverse direction, of a catch arranged to directly engage and hold the said key-lever in the position into which it is moved in releasing the carriage escapement, and tripping means arranged to operatively' connect the said support with the catch and to trip the catch during the endwise movement of the support at the end of themovement of the carriage ina direction toward a'tabulator stop.'

2. In a tabulating mechanism for a typewriting machine, the combination with a spring-controlled support having one 'or more tabulator-stops for the carriage which support is movable in an endwise direction under its spring-control parallel with that of the carriage and also in a direction transverse thereto, and a tabulator key-lever operatively connected with said support and arranged to move to and fro in the said transverse direction, ofa catch arranged to directly engage and holdv the said key-lever in the position into which it is moved in releasing the carriage escapement, and a tripping member carried by said support and arranged to trip the catch during the endwise movement of the support at the end of the movement of the carriage in a direction toward a tabulator stop.

In a tabulating mechanism for a typewriting machine, the combination of a support having a tabulator-stop for the carriage, which support is movable in an endwise direction parallel with that of the carriage and also in a direction transverse thereto, a tabulator-key operatively connected with the said support and arranged to move it to and fro in the said transverse direction, a catch arranged to hold the key in the position into which it has been moved in releasing the carriage-escapement, tripping means arranged to operatively con-' nect the said support with the'catch and to trip the catch during the endwisemovement of the support at the end of the movement of the carriage in a direction toward the tabulator-stop, and tripping means arranged to operatively connect the carriage with the catch to trip the latterfwhen the carriage is moved in a direction away from the tabulator'stop.

at. In a tabulating mechanism for a type writing machine, the combination with a tabulator key-lever of a catch to holdthe key-lever in-the position into which it"has been moved in releasing the carriage-escapement, a trip for the catch, the said trip in cluding a member capable of limited movement, a tabulator stop borne on said member, a

and means operatively connecting the said trip with'a member which lies 'inthe path of the carriage in its movement away from the tabulator-stop.

-5. Ina tabulating mechanism for a typewriting machine, the combinationwith a tabulator key-lever of a catch to hold the key-lever in'the position into which it has been moved in releasing the carriage-escapement, a trip for the catch,- means operatively connecting the said trip -with' a member which lies in the path of-the carriage at the end of its movement toward a tabulator stop,

and a pawl and ratchet mechanism one element of which is operatively connected with the carriage so that movement of the latter moves the said element and the other element is operatively connected with the said catch the two elements combining to engage and trip the catch when the carriage is moved in a direction away from the tabulator-stop.

' 6. In a tabulating mechanism for a typewriting machine, the combination with a tabulator key-lever, ofa catch to hold the key-lever in-the position into which it has been moved in releasing the-carriag'e-escapement, a trip for the catch,'the"said trip including a member capable of limited movement, a tabulator stop borneon said trip member,and a'pawl and ratchetmechanism, 7

one element of which is operatively con- 'nected with the carriage so that} movement of the latter moves the said element, and the other element is operatively connected with the said catch, the two elements combining to engage and trip the catch when the fearriage is moved in a direction away from the tabulator-stop. i p

7. Ina tabulating mechanism' for a typewriting machine,- the combination with the tabulator key-lever of a'catch to hold the key-lever in the position into which it has been moved in releasing the carriage-escapement, a trip for the catch, means'operatively connecting the-said trip with a member which liesin the path of the carriage at the end of its movement toward a tabulator stop, a second pivoted'lever, means operthe pawl and ratchet combining; to. engage when the carriage is moved in a direction away from the tabulatonstopthereby moving the second pivoted lever to tripthe catch. V r 1 I 8. In a tabulating mechanism for a typewriting machine, the, combination with a tabulator key-lever of .a catch to hold the key-lever in the position into which it has been moved in, releasing the carriage-escape- 'ment, a trip forthe catch, thesaid trip including, a member capable of limited movement, a tabulator stop borne on the'saidtripmember, a second pivoted lever, means operativelyqconnecting the latter with the catch, a pawl and ratchet. mechanism, ,one

element of which is operatively connected with the carriage so that movement of the latter moves the said element, and the other element is borne on said'second pivoted lever,

.thepawl and} ratchet combiningto engage when .the carriage" is -moved in a direction away from the tabulator-stop, thereby to move the second pivoted lever .to trip the catch? 9. In a tabu-lating mechanism for a typewriting machine,.the combinationqwith a tabulator key-lever of a catch to hold .the key-lever in the position intowhich it has been moved in releasing the carriage-escapement, a trip for the, catch and meansopera- .tively connecting the said trip with .a memher whichlies in the path ofthe carriage at the end of its movement toward. a tabulatorstop, and other means for connecting the saidtrip with a member which lies intthe path of the carriage in its movement away from the-tabulator stop, substantially as described.

10. Inatabulating mechanismifor-a typewriting machine, the combination. with a tabulator key-lever of a catch to hold the key-lever in the position into which it has been moved in releasing the carriage-escapement, a, railmounted for endwise movement in the direction of the carriage-movement and mounted also formovement in a direction transverse to that endwise, movement, a

tabulator stop 'borneon said rail, means 'operatively connecting the tabulator key-lever and the rail'to bringabout said transverse movement when ;the tabulator ,key lever is operated, means operatively connecting the tame ment, arail mounted for endwise movement in the dlrection oi the carriage movement and mounted also for movement in a direction transverse to that endwise movement, a

tabulator stop borne on. saidrail, means operatively connecting the tabulator key-lever and the. rail to bring about said transverse movement when the tabulator key-lever is operated, and means operatively connecting the said ra1l with the catch, whereby endwise movement of the rail operates to trip the catch,.and a' pawl and ratchet mechanism, one .7 element of which is operatively connectedwith the carriage so that movement of the latter. moves. the said element, and

the other element is operatively connected with the catchaforesaid, the two elements direction away -12. Ina tabulating mechanism for a typewriting machine, the combination .with a tubulator key-lever of a, catch to hold the key-lever invthe position into which it has been moved in releasing the carriage-escape- .ment, a rail mounted for endwise movement in the direction of the carriage movement and mounted also for movement inadirection transverse to that. endwise movement, a tabulator stop borne on said rail, means operatively connecting the tabulator keylever and the rail to bring about saidtransverse movement when the tabulator keylever is operated,means operatively connecting the saidrail with the catch, whereby end wise movement of the railoperates to trip the catch, a second pivoted lever, means operatively connecting the latter with the catch, a pawl and ratchetcmechanism one element of which ,is operatively connected with the carriage sothat movementof the latter moves the said element and the other element, is borne onv said second pivoted lever, the pawl and ratchet-combining to engage when the carriage is moved in a direction away from'the tabulator stop, thereby to move the second pivoted lever to trip the catch.

13. In a tabulating mechanism for a type writing machine, the combination of a support comprising a spring-controlled rocking shaft having an operating arm, which shaft is disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the carr1age,and 1smounted so as to be capable of axial movements, and a tabulator bar fixedly'mounted onsaid support. one. .or .more tabulator stops on the tabulator-f bar, a tabulator key-lever operatively connected directlvwithsaid arm and arrangedto rock the said support about the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a catch arranged. to directly engage and hold the keylever in, the position into which it is brought in-rocking saidsuppor't and releasing the combining toengage to trip the catch when 7 the carriage is moved in a from the stop. 4

Carriage esca'peme'nt, and a tripping memnames to this specification in the presence of her fast on said support and arranged to two subscrlblng wltnesses.

trip the catch during the endwise movement ERIC J ULIUS PILBLAI). of said support at the end of the movement ARTHUR TOMLINSON. 5 of the carriage in a direction toward 2 tabu- Witnesses:

later-stop. ARGHIBALD SMITH,

In testimony whereof we have slgned our DICK ILIFFE. 

